Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, April 3

Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo district of Indonesia 's North Sumatra province erupted on Thursday afternoon, spewing a column of ash by up to 2 km to the sky and triggering small-scale evacuation, official said here earlier Friday.

Powerful burst of hot ash was spread from the rumbling volcano, heading 4 km away to the south of the crater and 1 km away to the southeast, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of national disaster management agency said. (Indonesia-Volcano Eruption)

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MANILA -- At least five people died when a passenger boat capsized in Sulu Province, Philippines on Thursday night, the military said on Friday.

Armed Forces of Philippine public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Canunoc said the ill-fated MPB Wilayza was overload when it figured in the mishap at around 10 p.m. between Tapul and Pata islands. (The Philippines-Boat Capsizing)

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YANGON -- Myanmar President U Thein Sein said on Friday that peace process towards political dialogue will be opened once the finalized draft nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) is formally signed after overcoming crisis.

U Thein Sein made the remarks in his regular and monthly radio speech to the nation. (Myanmar-Political Dialogue)

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COLOMBO -- The Sri Lankan police said on Friday they had launched an investigation into the death of an Indian couple whose bodies had been discovered from a hotel in capital Colombo on Thursday night.

The Indian nationals, one a male and the other a female, had been residing in the hotel since they arrived in the country on March 27. Police said they and are believed to be between the age of 30 and 35. (Sri Lanka-Death Investigation) Endi